The 2nd annual Chili Cook-Off takes place on Saturday October 22 at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Admission is free, but if you want to sample chili you purchase a “tasting kit” for $8 (includes 5 taste tickets, spoon, cup, and People's Choice voting ballot). I highly recommend this event; last year I enjoyed many different scrumptious creations which included vegetarian, meat, mild, and spicy varieties. A portion of event proceeds benefit the Santa Cruz Teen Center.
The event features separate categories for amateur and professional chefs, so the more experienced cooks will compete against each other. Awards (including cash) will be given to best vegetarian chili, best meat chili, People's Choice, and Most Tasted. All but the "Most Tasted" will have winners in two different categories: amateur and professional.
Last year's big winner was Sunnyvale-based Bad S BBQ (here are last year's complete results). Bad S won in the Professional meat category with its hearty chili filled with smoked hot links, and also won the People's Choice/Professional prize. Bad S will be back again this year to defend its title. Other professionals competing include two chefs from The Picnic Basket, the restaurant opened last summer by the folks behind Penny Ice Creamery (read more). The Picnic Basket puts out consistently wonderful food that features lots of local and organic ingredients, so their chili should be fantastic. Another chili to watch out for is Santa Cruz-based Local Harvest Catering; last year's dish featured free-range turkey and was one of my favorites.
Here is the schedule:
9:00am-10:00am Preparation period (No heat- 1 hour)
10:00am-1:00pm Cooking period (3 hours)
10:00am Tasting kits go on sale
1:00pm Public tasting begins
1:30pm Judging begins
3:00pm Last chance to submit People's Choice ballot
4:00pm Winners announced in beach amphitheater
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